Christmas Chocolates and Crimes

by Cindy Bell

  As he led her down the hallway that led towards her grandmother’s apartment, Ally had no idea why he would want to speak to her. But she was relieved to be getting closer to her grandmother.

  “Chief, what happened here?” Ally quickened her pace so that she was beside him instead of behind him.

  “That’s what I’m hoping you can get your grandmother to tell me.” He paused at the yellow police tape that surrounded Martin’s apartment. Ally noticed the Christmas decorations, but someone had turned off the music, or maybe it was never on. Her head buzzed with confusion as the chief lifted the police tape and guided her under it. She saw little yellow markers on the carpet that designated where evidence of the crime still remained. By the time she spotted her grandmother on the couch with another officer beside her, she felt terrible.

  “Mee-Maw!” She rushed over to her and threw her arms around her. “Are you okay?”

  “Yes, I am.” Charlotte looked at her and shook her head. “How could this happen?”

  “Now, she can talk.” The chief crossed his arms.

  “Excuse me?” Ally shot him an impatient look. “She’s obviously in shock.”

  “Clearly. But I still need to know what happened here.” He locked his eyes on Charlotte. “Can you give me an idea of how this happened?”

  “I don’t know. The music was still on after ten, so I came over to check on Martin. When I knocked, he didn’t answer,” Charlotte fumbled over her words.

  “And you just walked in?” The chief studied her intently. “You just thought it was okay to open the door?”

  “You don’t understand. Martin always turns the music off at exactly ten. It was after ten, and I thought maybe he’d fallen asleep or something. But when I knocked and he didn’t answer, I was worried.” She looked up at Ally with tears in her eyes. “Oh, Ally, who would do this to him?”

  “That’s what we’re trying to find out.” The chief narrowed his eyes.

  “It’s okay, Mee-Maw.” Ally pulled her closer. “Let’s get you home.”

  “No, she’s not going anywhere.” The chief moved in front of them both.

  “What? Why not?” Ally frowned. “She told you what she knows. Why would you want to keep her here?”

  “As of now, Charlotte is our only witness, and our only suspect. So, she’s going to stay right here until I get a handle on what happened here.”

  “Suspect?” Ally stared at him, her mouth half-open. “Have you lost your mind?”

  “Excuse me?” He took a step towards her. “Who exactly do you think you’re speaking to?”

  All at once Ally realized that this was no longer just a tragic situation, but a moment when her grandmother could be in quite a bit of trouble. She knew she needed to be far more careful about what she said.

  “I’m sorry, you just surprised me. I can’t imagine why you would ever consider her a suspect. However, if you’re going to treat her as one, then maybe I need to call a lawyer.” She folded her arms across her chest.

  “Ally, it’s okay.” Charlotte patted her arm. “I’m willing to cooperate. I didn’t do anything wrong. If it helps in some way to figure out what happened to Martin, then I am fine with it.” She looked over at the chief. “I did not harm Martin. I don’t know who did. When I came in, I saw him on the ground, and I screamed.”

  “Why didn’t you call the police?” He pointed to her phone on the couch beside her.

  “I was just so shocked, and then by the time I could think again, I could already hear the sirens. Someone had already called.” She frowned. “It was clear that he was gone, it’s not as if there was any chance of saving him.”

  “And how did you know that if you were so shocked?” His tone grated Ally’s nerves.

  “Mee-Maw, you don’t have to answer any questions.” Her stomach churned as she wished that Luke was there. He would put the chief in his place even if it meant risking his job.

  “You be quiet, or I’m going to make you wait outside.” The harshness of the chief’s gaze sent a shiver down Ally’s spine. She had a feeling he was itching to see her in handcuffs. Why, she wasn’t quite sure, but she didn’t want to tempt him.

  “All right, I apologize.” She slipped her hand into her grandmother’s.

  “If you had nothing to do with this, then who do you think did? You live nearby, right? You know Martin and Trudy fairly well?” He crouched down in front of the couch so that he could look straight at Charlotte.

  “Trudy!” Charlotte gasped and looked towards the bedroom. “Is she okay? Where is she?”

  “That’s what we would like to know. Do you have any idea where she might be?”

  “Oh no.” She clasped her hand over her mouth for a moment and tried to decide how much to share. She knew she needed to tell him everything, but it made her uneasy to share Martin and Trudy’s personal business. “She must not have come home.”

  “What does that mean?” He straightened back up. “Anything you know that could help this investigation you need to tell me.”

  “Earlier, when I stopped in to check on Martin, because his decorations were all torn apart, he said that she left him. I just assumed she would be home by this evening, though.” She wrung her hands. “They’re normally a very happy couple.”

  “Hm.” He nodded. “You said you stopped by earlier? I have a few witnesses who said they saw you and Martin arguing. Is that true?”

  “Not exactly. He was angry, really upset because of the damage to his decorations. He did yell, but I think he was just frustrated with everything. He had the wrong impression that I might have destroyed his decorations.”

  “So, you didn’t threaten him or tear down any of his decorations?” He kept his gaze steadily on her.

  “No, of course not.” She shook her head, then sighed. “I love the holidays. I liked his decorations.”

  “Look, I know you have a job to do, but my grandmother is exhausted. She’s told you everything she knows. Can’t you talk to her again in the morning?” Ally rubbed her grandmother’s shoulder.

  “Yes, all right.” His expression softened some. “But be reachable.”

  “I will be.” Charlotte assured him as she started to stand up. Ally took her hand and guided her out of the apartment.

  As Charlotte and Ally stepped out of Martin’s apartment and into the hallway they were greeted by the curious gazes of several of Charlotte’s neighbors. Charlotte noticed that Victoria wasn’t one of them. Even though she could barely get two thoughts together, she considered it strange that Victoria, who lived right next door to Martin, hadn’t poked her head out to see what was happening. She also noticed that her neighbors gazed at her with a strange look in their eyes. Ally opened Charlotte’s apartment door for her and ushered her inside. Then she locked it behind her.

  “The nerve of that man,” Ally spit out her words. “If Luke wouldn’t get in trouble for it, I would have told him exactly what I thought of the way he was treating you. I can’t believe he even called you a suspect. What is he thinking?”

  “He’s just doing his job, Ally. You can’t give him a hard time for that.” Charlotte eased herself down into her chair. “He has to find out what happened.”

  “Yes, I know he does, but what I don’t understand is why he would waste his time questioning you.” She sat down on the couch across from her grandmother. “I mean, really. Does he think you went in there and killed Martin?”

  “Ally.” Charlotte grimaced.

  “Oh, Mee-Maw, I’m sorry, that was insensitive. He was your friend. Are you okay?” She reached across and squeezed her grandmother’s hand. “Can I get you some tea? Something to eat?”

  “No, I’m okay, thank you.”

  “I can’t believe this happened.”

  “Me neither. I was just going to bed.” Charlotte shook her head slowly. “I was going to turn out the light and go to bed. But the music was still on, and I knew that wasn’t right. So, I went to check. Maybe I shouldn’t have opened the door. Ma
ybe I should have just called the police.”

  “But what would you have told them? That your neighbor wasn’t answering the door? I doubt anyone would have come out for that. Then when would someone have missed Martin? He was retired, and it looks like his wife left him, so how long might it have been before he was found?”

  “Ugh, I don’t even want to think about it.” Charlotte sighed, then sat forward. “I think the only thing we can do, is try to figure out what happened. The chief is shorthanded with Luke and the other detectives away at that convention, so I doubt that he will be able to keep track of all of this himself. I think we should do our best to help.” She met Ally’s eyes with a look of determination.

  “Okay, I agree.” Even if Ally didn’t agree she knew that she wouldn’t be able to stop her grandmother.

  “I just wish I had gone over there earlier. There must have been some kind of commotion. Why didn’t I hear it?”

  “The Christmas music.” Ally shrugged. “It was very loud when I heard it earlier. I doubt that anyone heard anything over that. There was nothing you could do, Mee-Maw. None of this is your fault.”

  “It may seem that way, but I just can’t shake the feeling that I should have known this was coming.” She sat back in her chair and gazed up at the ceiling. “Never in a million years would I imagine that Victoria could do something like this.”

  “You think it was Victoria?” Ally’s eyes widened. “You think she murdered him over Christmas decorations?”

  “I don’t know for sure, of course. But like you said, Martin’s decorations were all knocked over and some were even broken. I hardly think that Martin would let that go. He probably went over there and confronted her. Maybe she got so angry that she came back with a weapon.” She shuddered at the thought. “To think I could have been living so close to a murderer makes me feel just terrible.”

  “We don’t know that for sure. It seems like a very weak motive for murder.” Ally stood up and began to pace back and forth. She always liked to be on the move when she was trying to figure things out. “What about Trudy? You said she left him? Obviously, they had some kind of big fight. Maybe she tried to come home, and he wouldn’t let her?”

  “Trudy?” Charlotte scrunched up her nose. “She’s so tiny. So thin, and so small, I just don’t see how she could do that. She’s always been so sweet.”

  “She might not have had a choice. Martin was so angry, maybe when she came home they fought, and in fear of her life she attacked. We don’t know what might have really happened.” Ally sat back down with a huff. “It’s possible though, I think.”

  “You’re right it is. I just find the whole scenario hard to believe. They seemed to love each other. I mean, I know that Martin had his moments, but he could be very sweet at other times. Even when he was angry he still seemed to be okay towards Trudy.” She tapped her fingertips on the arm of her chair. “So as of now we have two possibilities. Victoria might have lost it, or Trudy might have killed him and taken off. Ally?” Her voice trailed off as she saw the look on her granddaughter’s face. “Ally, what’s wrong?”

  “Mee-Maw, this happened practically right next door to you. I don’t even want to think about something so horrible happening to you. What if it was random? What if someone just decided to kill Martin, and what if they’re not done?” Ally asked, she tried to hide the worry in her voice. She knew she needed to be strong for her grandmother. “I’m staying here with you tonight. Or you can come to the cottage, whichever you prefer.”

  “No, I don’t think I should leave here, it might send the wrong message. But you can stay if you want.” She smiled some. “I would like that.”

  “Good, because you’re not getting rid of me. I’ve already fed the pets.” Ally frowned. “I just wish that Luke was here. At least he would keep us up to date on what’s going on with the case. I doubt the chief is going to do that for us. He seems to have a problem with me.”

  “I noticed that, too. Maybe just because you’re dating one of his detectives?” Charlotte raised an eyebrow.

  “Maybe.” Ally sighed and then turned towards her grandmother. “I’m going to double-check the lock. You should get some rest.”

  “I’m not sure I can. But I’ll try.” Charlotte stood up from her chair and made her way into her room. As soon as she closed her eyes, she saw Martin, not as she’d found him, but as the angry man she’d seen earlier in the evening. Was it possible that he’d attacked his wife and she’d fought back? Before that encounter with him she never would have believed it. But as she fell asleep, she saw the anger in his eyes.

  Chapter 5

  When Charlotte opened her eyes the next morning, she had a few blissful seconds of ignorance. Then the memories of the night before crashed through her mind and ruffled every nerve in her body. Martin was dead, she was a suspect, and as far as she knew Trudy was missing. She heard the sound of the coffee pot brewing and knew that Ally was already up. Knowing her, she might not have slept at all. Charlotte wondered how she would handle the busy shop, and this on top of it. She hoped that the police might have solved the crime overnight. However, as she padded into the kitchen she could hear the morning news report. No leads, no explanations, suspect at large. She was sure that all of Freely Lakes would be in a tizzy about the possibility of an armed killer wandering the halls. If she was honest with herself, she felt a little scared. Not of the killer, but of what might happen if the police decided that she was the best suspect.

  “Morning, Ally.”

  “Morning, Mee-Maw.” She turned off the television and looked over at her grandmother. “Were you able to sleep?”

  “Yes, I got some. What about you?” She met her eyes.

  “A little, the couch is quite comfortable.” Ally poured a cup of coffee for her, then set out the cream. “I got up a little while ago and started digging into what I could about Martin. However, there wasn’t much to find. He’s from Mainbry, but he lived in Freely for the past ten years, the last eight of those in Freely Lakes. He doesn’t have much of an internet presence.” Ally sat down beside Charlotte. “How are you feeling this morning? Maybe we should make an appointment with the doctor to have you checked out.”

  “Checked out for what?” She frowned. “It’s not as if I was hurt.”

  “No, but you got a fright when you found Martin. It must have been stressful.”

  “I was just thinking the same thing about you this morning. All of the stress of the holiday season, and now this on top of it.” She gave Ally’s hand a squeeze.

  “Aw, Mee-Maw, you don’t have to worry about that. I love working at the shop. And you and I both know we enjoy a mystery. I just wish it wasn’t a murder mystery, and right around the holidays.” She set a plate of toast in front of her grandmother. “Eat up.”

  “Thank you. You too.”

  “I’m joining you.” She added toast to the table for herself.

  “After breakfast, I know that you need to get to the shop, but I want to stop in and check on my friend Diana. She lives a few doors down from Martin and was friendly with Trudy. I’m worried that all of this will have her very shaken up.” She frowned. “She’s a bit nervous to begin with.”

  “Isn’t she the one that bought the chocolates for her handmade giftboxes, yesterday?” Ally quirked an eyebrow.

  “Yes, she is. She is so talented.”

  “I better go into the shop early. We have a ton of orders and deliveries to fill. Why don’t you stay home today? I have Nina to help me out.” She collected the plates and took them to the sink to wash them.

  “And miss out on the gossip from Mrs. Cale, Mrs. Bing, and Mrs. White? Never!” She laughed a little. “Besides if I stay at Freely Lakes, I’m just going to go stir crazy. I’m sure everyone is going to stick close to home with everything that is happening.” She stood up from the table and shooed Ally away from the sink. “You go on to the shop, I’ll meet you there after I check on Diana. Then we can knock out some of the big orders that need
to be done today. All right?” She eyed her for a moment. It was clear that it was not exactly a question.

  “All right, that sounds good.” She dried off her hands. “I need to stop at home first and feed Peaches and Arnold, then I’ll head into the shop. But, Mee-Maw please, if anything strange happens, let me know right away. And be careful, okay?”

  “I will be.” She patted Ally’s back. “You don’t have to worry so much about me, remember?”

  “I’ll stop worrying about you, when you stop worrying about me.” She kissed her grandmother’s cheek.

  On the way out the door Ally felt a sudden urge to stay. It seemed wrong not to keep an eye on her when there was a killer on the loose. But she also knew that her grandmother was never one to be scared off by anything. She wouldn’t like Ally to follow her around like a babysitter. Ally wouldn’t like anyone to do that to her, either. As she drove to the cottage, her thoughts churned with the possibilities of what might have happened to Martin. She’d heard many stories from her grandmother about the conflict between Martin and Victoria. It extended beyond just the holidays to other issues. But disputes between neighbors weren’t that unusual, and didn’t often lead to murder.

  She parked in front of the cottage and unlocked the door to a cacophony of animal sounds.

  “I know, I know, I’ve been gone too long.” She sighed as she crouched down to greet the cat and the pig. They both picked a hand to lick and nuzzle. Ally couldn’t help but laugh at the greeting. It did make her feel quite lucky to have them in her life. Once she fed them and made sure they had plenty of water for the day, she headed to her room to change. On the way back out she noticed that Arnold had dug his snout through her purse. He’d pushed a few letters and receipts out of it onto the floor.

  “Arnold!” She frowned and gathered up the papers. “These are important.” A few were invoices of orders from the shop, while another was a list of people she planned to send a card. As she looked at the list she was reminded of how late she was sending them. She shivered a little as she realized that both Victoria and Martin were on that list. Would she be sending a card to Trudy? Or Victoria? She doubted it now. Once she had all of the papers back in her purse she headed out the door again. It was too cold to bring Peaches and Arnold to the pen out back. She would have to make it up to them by bringing home some special treats, as she knew they were missing their outings and interaction with the people of Blue River.